Fans of The Karate Kid franchise weren’t exactly sure what to expect when Cobra Kai was first announced back in 2017, but the spinoff, continuation series quickly became a hit with audiences. Viewers have been only been able to watch the show on YouTube since its debut, but that’s about to change, as the first two seasons are now headed to Netflix. In addition, there’s also more exciting news for fans of the show.
In addition to gaining the streaming rights to the first two seasons of Cobra Kai, Netflix has also announced that the upcoming third season will debut on the platform. The news arrives 36 years to the day that The Karate Kid first opened in theaters. In a statement, Brian Wright, Netflix’s Vice President of Original Series, expressed his excitement about having Cobra Kai join Netflix’s roster of content:
The appeal of The Karate Kid saga is timeless, and Cobra Kai picks up right where it left off without missing a beat. The rivalry between Daniel and Johnny is one for the ages, and the show has a ton of heart and is a lot of fun. We can’t wait to introduce a new generation of fans to Cobra Kai and are thrilled to be its new home around the world.
It would appear that the saying, “Cobra Kai never dies,” is valid both in and outside of the Karate Kid universe. Given the show’s successful run on YouTube, it’s not surprising that Netflix swooped in to claim it.
For those who may not be up to speed, Cobra Kai picks up 30 years after Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence’s iconic bout at the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. In the present, Daniel is a successful businessman, while Johnny is a slacker and deadbeat dad who’s struggling to make ends meet. Hoping to recapture his glory days, Johnny decides to reopen Cobra Kai and recruits and trains a new generation of students. This ultimately reignites his rivalry with LaRusso, who later seeks out pupils of his own.
What’s most rewarding about Cobra Kai is that it manages to blaze a trail for itself while honoring the mythology established by the movies. This is especially true when it comes to the way the show pays tribute to Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi.
With Season 3 on the way, fans have a lot to look forward to when it comes to the future of Cobra Kai. And with Netflix bringing over the first two seasons ahead of time, new viewers can catch up on the show, while devoted fans can relive some of their favorite episodes. The second season concluded on a bittersweet note, so it’ll be interesting to see what lies ahead for Johnny, Daniel, Kreese and their students in the third season.
Netflix has not provided an official release date for Cobra Kai Season 3 at this time.
